James Dugan has been appointed executive chef at Sheraton Grand London Park Lane, bringing with him a wealth of culinary experience from a career within the luxury hospitality sector spanning 24 years.

Dugan has joined the 303 bedroom luxury hotel in Mayfair which houses three distinctive food and beverage venues.

In his new position, Dugan oversees Mercante, the hotel’s Italian restaurant; The Palm Court, home to the hotel’s birdcage afternoon tea; and the British favourite, Smith & Whistle, a bar serving locally sourced food and expertly crafted cocktails and the best of British craft beer.

Dugan also manages the food offering for the hotel’s meetings and events spaces which cater for conferences, product launches, meetings, weddings and special events.

Previous experience includes the Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire where he oversaw restaurants with up to 180 covers, and also designed and implemented new menus for all the food and beverage outlets within the hotel, taking their offering from strength to strength.

Dugan said of his new role: “I’m thrilled to be part of the Sheraton Grand London Park Lane team and to be working with such exciting food and beverage venues.

“I look forward to bringing my own style and personality to the restaurants to continue to establish them as some of the best places to eat in Mayfair.”